Volunteer FAQ – Volunteering in the UK

No.

Previous volunteering or professional experience may be helpful for some roles, but it is not required for every opportunity.

Useful experience can also include:

• Lived experience.
• Community knowledge.
• Research skills.
• Practical skills.
• Digital skills.
• Communication skills.
• A willingness to learn and help.

The volunteer application is open to people aged 16 or over.

Some roles or activities may have additional age restrictions because of safeguarding, responsibility or the nature of the work.

Yes.

Many volunteer activities may be suitable for remote participation, including:

• Research.
• Evidence organisation.
• Website support.
• Digital projects.
• Administration.
• Writing and communications.

Potentially, yes.

Right First Time UK may have opportunities involving local campaigns, community awareness, outreach, events or local research.

Availability will depend on current projects and volunteer capacity.

Yes.

Not every volunteer needs to make the same time commitment.

Depending on the opportunity, you may be able to help:

• Occasionally.
• At specific events.
• On one campaign.
• With a research task.
• A few hours each month.
• More regularly.

Tell us your availability on the application form.

Yes.

The application allows you to select several areas of interest.

For example, you may be interested in both research and campaigning, or website support and communications.

Not necessarily.

Some activities can be done remotely or may support UK-wide campaigns.

Other opportunities may relate to a particular local area.

The online form is designed to be straightforward and should only take a short time for most applicants.

It asks for:

• Your contact details.
• Roles that interest you.
• Your availability.
• Relevant experience and skills.
• Why you want to volunteer.
• Any accessibility support you want us to consider.

The application system gives you a unique volunteer application reference.

Right First Time UK will review the information you have provided.

We aim to contact applicants within 14 working days.

The volunteer system is designed to provide an application reference after submission.

Where server email is operating correctly, an acknowledgement email may also be sent to the email address you provide.

No.

Applications need to be considered against:

• Available opportunities.
• The needs of current campaigns and projects.
• Skills and experience where relevant.
• Volunteer capacity.
• Safeguarding requirements.
• Suitability for particular responsibilities.

Not necessarily a formal interview.

For some roles, we may arrange an informal conversation before confirming volunteer involvement.

This gives both sides an opportunity to discuss the role, expectations, availability and support.

Not every volunteer role requires a DBS check.

Any check should depend on the actual role and whether the activity is legally eligible or requires additional safeguarding arrangements.

Other checks, such as identity or references, may also be considered where appropriate.

A conviction does not automatically mean that someone cannot volunteer.

Where information is relevant to a role, it may need to be considered in context, including:

• The type of role.
• The responsibilities involved.
• Safeguarding considerations.
• How long ago something happened.
• Any legal requirements that apply.

Volunteer roles are unpaid unless a particular opportunity clearly states otherwise.

Volunteering does not automatically create an employment relationship.

Do not assume that expenses will automatically be reimbursed.

Any expense arrangement should be agreed before costs are incurred.

The application form includes an accessibility section.

You can use it to explain what may help you participate in the application process or volunteering activity.

You only need to share information that is relevant and that you are comfortable providing.

Yes.

Disability, autism, ADHD, dyslexia or other neurodivergence should not automatically prevent someone from volunteering.

Where adjustments or different communication methods would help, you can explain this in the application.

Some activities may involve public-service concerns, evidence or information supplied by members of the public.

Volunteers should only access personal information where it is necessary for an authorised task.

Confidentiality, data protection and safeguarding requirements must be followed.

You should not present yourself as providing professional legal advice unless you are properly qualified and authorised to do so.

Volunteers may help people find public information or understand available resources, but should be clear about the limits of their role.

Not automatically.

Being a volunteer does not automatically authorise someone to make official statements or speak to journalists on behalf of the organisation.

Media representation should be agreed where someone is speaking officially for Right First Time UK.

Potentially.

If you have an issue you believe could become a Right First Time UK campaign, it would need to be discussed and agreed before presenting it as an official campaign.

Only for authorised Right First Time UK activity.

Volunteer status does not give unrestricted permission to create pages, accounts, campaigns, fundraising activity or public material using the organisation's identity.

Volunteers do not have to agree on every issue.

Different views can be raised respectfully.

Personal opinions should not be presented as an official organisational position unless that position has been agreed.

Raise it with Right First Time UK.

Serious concerns involving:

• Safeguarding.
• Harassment.
• Dishonesty.
• Data misuse.
• Security.
• Threatening behaviour.

should be reported promptly.

Yes.

Volunteering is voluntary.

If you decide to stop, it is helpful to tell the appropriate Right First Time UK contact so that any open tasks, records or access can be managed properly.

Yes.

Volunteer involvement may be restricted, suspended or ended where appropriate, including where there are concerns about:

• Conduct.
• Safeguarding.
• Security.
• Confidentiality.
• Role suitability.
• Misuse of the organisation's name.
• The availability or continuation of the role.

The online volunteer application is hosted on the Right First Time UK server at:

https://api.rightfirsttimeuk.co.uk/volunteer/

Volunteer enquiries can be sent to:

dan@rightfirsttimeuk.com